Free Heaven Bent by Robert T. Jeschonek Page B

got a look at his whole face. And my heart skipped a beat.
    Because I recognized him. I'd never met him in my life, but I recognized his face instantly.
    I'd never had many heroes, but he was one of them. A true blue star forged in Memphis, a rock 'n' roll god without compare--the one and only King.
    I should have known sooner from the sound of his voice, from the half of his face not concealed by the mask. From the swagger, the warmth, the charisma--I should have known.
    I considered myself a star, but he was the star of stars. If I'd been looking for God in Heaven, he was the next best thing.
    "El...El..." There was maybe one person who could make me stammer while trying to say his name...and he was it. "Mr. P-...Mr. Pres-..." And then I gave up and used my trademark shortcut. " E.P. Is it really you ?"
    "Why yes it is." He reached out and shook my hand. "And if you know who I am, then I guess you know you can believe me, don't you?"
    I couldn't believe I was shaking his hand. I didn't want to let it go. "Yes, sir. I guess I do."
    "That's fine." E.P. smiled warmly. "Then everything's gonna be all right, man."
    Just as he said it, I heard a snarling bark from the jungle around us.
    The three of us shot to our feet just as a giant pit bull--over six feet tall from his paws to the top of his head--leaped out of the brush on the other side of the fire.
    Teeth bared, back hunched, he faced us through the flickering orange light. Drool oozed from his curled black lips as he growled at us, every muscle drawn tight, preparing to attack...

    *****
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    Chapter 6

    Powerful muscles rippled under the mottled gray and black fur of the giant pit bull. Teeth bared, ears peeled back, it crouched on the other side of the campfire, growling like a motorcycle getting ready to spring into action.
    It was going to leap right through the campfire--no doubt about it. The creature's dark eyes were locked on us, its body aimed in our direction. Not that we'd have much chance of escape if we split up and ran; I could just imagine those long legs churning as the beast picked us off in quick succession.
    Now I knew how it felt to be an antelope at the watering hole.
    Staring at the giant dog, I froze. As good a fighter as I am thanks to my Hollywood martial arts training, I can be slow to react sometimes. Call it movie star lag syndrome: I keep waiting for the director to yell "Action."
    At least my rebel friends didn't have that problem. Flashing forward, M.J. snatched a flaming branch from the fire and waved it at the animal. Meanwhile, E.P. jammed two fingers in his mouth and whistled, long and loud.
    As M.J. shook the fiery branch, the pit bull flinched and let loose a fierce, snarling bark. The dog's eyes darted from the branch to M.J. to the rest of us and back, taking in everything, assessing the moment. It wouldn't be long until it made a move--a move toward the weaker flank, I was guessing. A move against me.
    Not long ago, I wouldn't have been worried. After all, how could you be hurt in Heaven? Wasn't the dog some kind of metaphor, unable to truly harm anyone?
    But now, after talking to E.P., I knew the danger I was in. Because wherever we were, he'd told me, we weren't in Heaven. And I believed him.
    "Get lost!" M.J. danced two steps forward, jabbing the burning branch at the dog. "Beat it!"
    Snarling, the animal crouched back from the flame. Every time its eyes shifted in my direction, M.J. worked the branch again, drawing its attention. But I got the distinct impression that time was running out.
    Reaching into the pouch at his waist, E.P. pulled out a handful of glowing dust and threw it at the dog, coating its muzzle. The beast sneezed violently, and E.P. let loose another shrill whistle.
    This time, he got results. As the dog launched into a full-blown sneezing fit, a dark form swooped down from above.
    Thundercloud .
    With a fierce roar, the giant platypus plunged out of the sky and strafed the pit bull with her scimitar claws. The